Gertrude Elisabeth Alexander, 83, of Columbia, died peacefully on the morning of February 7, 2017. Born in Nieder-Morlen, Germany, she was a daughter of the late George and Rosa Krah Dietz. Gertrude retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield after many years of service and was a member of North Trenholm Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her sons, Charles William Alexander, Jr. (Linda Jackson), Ralph Grover Alexander (Kathryn "Kat" Friedrichs), and Richard "Rick" Jerry Alexander (Kathleen); eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; a brother, Peter Dietz (Chris) of Germany. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles William Alexander; and a son, Robert Carl Alexander.

A funeral service will be held 2 o'clock, Friday, February 10th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Interment will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock, Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206.